So every trucker or trailer manufacturer knows they have to install
reflective tape. But why not use this federal requirement to increase your
marketing advantage? It’s perfectly legal to have your logo imprinted
within the reflective tape. How effective is it? Well, all the big
players in the trailer industry do it. Wabash, Utility, Hyundai – to name a
few. Just think about it – you are building an awesome line of custom
aluminum sport trailers and if your name was on every piece of reflective
tape on that trailer you would be bound to get folks looking your firm up
online. But keep it simple; skip the phone number, your address, and town.
These days it’s all about internet access. Just your company name in bold
letters is all it takes. Maybe you aren’t a manufacturer but rather a fleet
owner. Same thing – get your name out there on that tape. Just enough for
a passing car to see your name and register in their memory for later recall
when they need a new trailer.
As we said, it’s important to keep your name or logo as simple and large
as possible on logo tape but that doesn’t mean you can’t get more
information on the trailer about your firm. Consider installing a detailed
decal with full address, phone number, website, etc in a few strategic
places on the trailer. And not just one place either – listen carefully
here! It really bugs me to see a beautiful but useless decal or
manufacturer nameplate installed on the FRONT of the trailer. No one sees
it! and it’s not much better on the tongue of the trailer either (everyone
does this). The trailer tongue is virtually hidden by the trailer body and
the towing vehicle. The best place is on either side of the trailer and the
rear.
A quick note about the material these products are made from. Reflective
tape is always some sort of vinyl film with prismatic or glass bead
reflective properties. And it has a protective top layer. Decals have more
variety. Usually they are also some vinyl composition but they can be
stamped metal too. Most folks are surprised to learn the single biggest
enemy of reflective tape and vinyl decals is….sunlight. Not water, not
road salt, not adhesive failure but sunlight. That’s because the UV rays
relentlessly attack the plastic causing fading, crazing, and eventually
peeling. Consider UV resistant top coats, 10 year versus 3 year warranty
(think cheap import tape from the far east), and thicker grade vinyl. Ask
your manufacturer “what’s the warranty?” “can I get a protective top coat?”
“how much to upgrade this product?” Often it’s not much.
These days it’s all about marketing “impressions, cost-per-clicks, and
conversions” Vehicle graphics has been statistically proven to be among the
cheapest forms of advertising out there. Get yours installed today!